What is xenotransplantation?

A cartoon regarding xenotransplantation
A cartoon regarding xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another, for example from pigs to humans. It comes from the Greek word xenos, which means foreign. The antonym of xenotransplantation is allotransplantation, meaning same-species transplantation. Transplanted cells, tissues or organs are called xenografts or xenotransplants. Xenotransplantation on humans could be an alternative to human organ transplantation.